The National Palace Museum, also known as the Taiwan Palace Museum or Taipei Palace Museum, and formerly known as the Zhongshan Museum, carries the historical connotation of the term “故” which signifies the past or old. Inheriting collections from the imperial courts of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it houses nearly 700,000 artifacts and art pieces, originating from the Forbidden City. It is the largest museum in Taiwan. My first visit to the museum was during a school field trip in my childhood. Back then, I had only a limited understanding of the treasures on display. The most memorable were the famed “Three Treasures”: the Jadeite Cabbage, the Mao Gongding, and the Meat-shaped Stone. With the recent fortunate lifting of pandemic restrictions, long-unseen friends from the United States and Hong Kong have come to Taiwan for tourism. The National Palace Museum is their first choice for cultural exchange, allowing them to meticulously appreciate the museum’s various thematic collections and experience the beauty of Chinese history and culture anew.
About National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum in Taiwan boasts a rich and venerable history, with its origins dating back to 1925. Initially situated within Beijing’s Forbidden City in China, it was established to exhibit and preserve ancient Chinese artistic treasures. Following the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War, the Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan, bringing along a portion of the imperial collection to safeguard China’s invaluable cultural heritage.
Over time, the museum’s collection expanded through acquisitions, donations, and successive transfers. It houses an extensive array of Chinese cultural and artistic artifacts, spanning over 5,000 years of history. Its global reputation attracts visitors and scholars from around the world. The museum not only showcases artworks but also places emphasis on research, preservation, and educational initiatives.
With a record of over 6.14 million annual visitors, equivalent to a quarter of Taiwan’s population, the National Palace Museum remains a significant cultural destination. In 2015, it ranked as the sixth most-visited art museum globally and was designated as one of Taiwan’s “Eight Views” by the Tourism Bureau. Its influence and impact are profound, reflecting its role in preserving and promoting Chinese cultural heritage.
National Palace Museum Taiwan | Ticket Information
| On-site Ticket Purchase |
Regular Admission (Foreign Visitors) | NT $350
Group Admission (10 people or more) | NT $320 *Additional fee of NT $30 for audio guide rental
Local Residents’ Discount | NT $150 *Available for citizens with valid ID, permanent residents, and international students
| Online Ticket Purchase |
National Palace Museum North Ticket (Includes 10% discount at the gift shop) | NT $150 > Click here to buy
*It’s highly recommended to purchase tickets online in advance. Not only can you enjoy discounted package prices, but you can also combine tickets for other attractions, avoiding the need to queue and the crowds at the site.
National Palace Museum Taiwan | Transportation Information
🌟 Take the MRT Danshui-Xinyi Line to 【Shilin Station】 and transfer to a bus
Upon arriving at 【Shilin Station R16】, take Exit 1 and walk forward for about 1-2 minutes to reach the bus stop on Zhongzheng Road. From here, you can take buses like 「Red 30」、「815」、「304」、「300」、「255」、「小19」、「小18」、「市民小巴1」, and more. After approximately 15 minutes, you will reach the National Palace Museum.
🌟 Take the MRT Wenhu Line to 【Jiannan Road Station】 and transfer to a bus
Upon arriving at 【Jiannan Road Station BR15】, take Exit 1 and walk to Beian Road, then turn right to find the bus stop. From here, you can take buses like 「Brown 20」、「Blue 7」. After about 10 minutes, you will reach the National Palace Museum.
🌟 Take the MRT Wenhu Line to 【Dazhi Station】 and transfer to a bus
Upon arriving at 【Dazhi Station BR14】, take Exit 3 and walk forward to Beian Road to find the bus stop. From here, you can take the 「Brown 13」 bus. After about 10 minutes, you will reach the National Palace Museum.
*Transportation map available at the source: https://www.npm.gov.tw/
The bus information is clearly marked. Once you see the Jadeite Cabbage treasure on your right, continue walking straight. In about 2 minutes, you’ll spot the bus stop.
In front of the Watsons store at the intersection is the waiting area. You’ll easily spot a crowd of foreigners gathered here, waiting for the buses. There’s no need to worry about getting lost. You can take buses like 「Red 30」、「815」、「304」、「300」、「255」、「小19」、「小18」、「市民小巴1」, and more. After approximately 15 minutes, you’ll reach the National Palace Museum.
Due to the summer vacation and the influx of tourists, the on-site ticket counters often experience long queues. It’s strongly recommended to purchase your tickets in advance to skip the lines and enter directly. Plus, there’s currently an offer of LINE TAXI ride credits included with the ticket purchase, which is extremely convenient!
If you don’t require guided explanations, you can also opt to queue up at the electronic ticketing area, which tends to be faster. The electronic kiosks offer instructions in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean, making it simple and easy to understand. Payments can be made using LINE PAY or credit cards.
For first-time visitors to the National Palace Museum, renting an audio guide is highly recommended. It costs just one US dollar per use, and it allows you to hear professional explanations by scanning the QR codes next to the exhibits. This provides an enriching and informative experience during your museum visit.
After purchasing your tickets, you can proceed to the entrance of the exhibition halls.
The tickets have random adorable designs on them!
Simply scan the ticket to easily enter the museum!
The museum is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. With such an extensive collection, it’s recommended to allocate at least half a day to explore. Otherwise, it might be challenging to see everything. Right next to the ticket counters, you’ll find a baggage storage service, so even if your international friends want to visit the National Palace Museum right after landing, they can securely store their luggage—very considerate!
That wraps up the transportation information and ticket strategies. The introduction to the museum’s exhibitions and what souvenirs are worth buying, as well as recommendations for local delicacies, will be covered in the next post for everyone to enjoy!
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